Friday, March 21, 2008

Red Ruffed Lemur Euthanized At Woodland Park Zoo

A 20-year-old red ruffed lemur has been euthanized at Woodland Park Zoo following an illness due to kidney failure.

Tromi arrived at the zoo in 1999 from the Duke University Primate Center. He lived in Woodland Park's tropical rain forest and was euthanized on Tuesday.

Red ruffed lemurs can live 15 to 20 years in the wild and up to 19 years in zoos. Dr. Kelly Helmick, Woodland Park's interim director of animal health, says the post-mortem exam confirmed conditions of a geriatric lemur, including a mottled liver, small dark kidneys and a thickened heart.

Helmick says the quality of the lemur's life was compromised, leading to the decision to euthanize Tromi. There are now five lemurs remaining at Woodland Park, including three offspring of the deceased male